DCM KX-212 Floorstanding Speakers

USER REVIEWS

i did not find these to be loud. i have klipsch with 95db sensitivity and these are not there. 90-92 on a good day. i have polk, wharfedale, and the klipsch and run them all perfectly flat on the tone controls. very balanced sound. on the dcm,the bass is very weak. i can't remember ever having speakers that required me to boost the bass. i'm not listening to rap and hip hop. i don't like bass thats too loud for the music. i would say they are alright for what they are. party speakers they are not. no bass and not loud. what exactly is their purpose?

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 13, 2018]

doug

Audio Enthusiast

i did not find these to be loud. i have klipsch with 95db sensitivity and these are not there. 90-92 on a good day. i have polk, wharfedale, and the klipsch and run them all perfectly flat on the tone controls. very balanced sound. on the dcm,the bass is very weak. i can't remember ever having speakers that required me to boost the bass. i'm not listening to rap and hip hop. i don't like bass thats too loud for the music. i would say they are alright for what they are. party speakers they are not. no bass and not loud. what exactly is their purpose?

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

3

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Oct 20, 2017]

DeauxBoi

Casual Listener

I've had these speakers since 1995, and if there is anything to say about them, it's that they're INSANELY LOUD. I wouldn't recommend using them for larger dj gigs, but by all means you use them for just about anything else like parties, small gigs, or just for simply jamming out. I have never felt the need to crank up the volume more than halfway, and they are still loud enough to cause my neighbors to come over and ask me to turn it down. I definitely recommend these to any beginning DJs, or anyone that is just looking to jam out on the weekends. Great buy, if I could rate higher I definitely would.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Oct 20, 2017]

DeauxBoi

Casual Listener

I've had these speakers since 1995, and if there is anything to say about them, it's that they're INSANELY LOUD. I wouldn't recommend using them for larger dj gigs, but by all means you use them for just about anything else like parties, small gigs, or just for simply jamming out. I have never felt the need to crank up the volume more than halfway, and they are still loud enough to cause my neighbors to come over and ask me to turn it down. I definitely recommend these to any beginning DJs, or anyone that is just looking to jam out on the weekends. Great buy, if I could rate higher I definitely would.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 03, 2013]

kirk

Audio Enthusiast

if u own this type of speaker u need a powerful amp not a receiver, my yamaha dsp a1000 make this speaker sounds complete it is sound like a live concert and you are in the front row
no"BS" if you will use receiver then this speakers will sounds like piece of "crap "so if you use this kind of speaker in receiver don't "e'fing complaint just shut up

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 03, 2013]

kirk

Audio Enthusiast

if u own this type of speaker u need a powerful amp not a receiver, my yamaha dsp a1000 make this speaker sounds complete it is sound like a live concert and you are in the front row
no"BS" if you will use receiver then this speakers will sounds like piece of "crap "so if you use this kind of speaker in receiver don't "e'fing complaint just shut up

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 23, 2012]

Harold

Audio Enthusiast

I also purchased these speakers in 1995 from ckt city, I used these with dcm center and surround speakers with a sunfire sub for 15 yrs and they all sound good today. I had an onkoyo reciever with 80 watts discret output pushing these babies, they need some power behind them. I just up graded my system, I now have a integra 40.3 reciever, klipsch rs series 7.1 speakers and I'm waiting for my svs pb 13 sub and guess what I'm still using for my front l and r speakers. My same Ass kicking dcm kx212, speakers are bases on what you listen to. A great set of speakers for opera may not work for rap or rock music, these speakers are good for loud rap, rock music and movies. Would not know about opera because I don't listen to it. My kx 212 are 17 yrs old with no maintenance and they are now in my 3rd residence, 2 apartments and now a single home to set these babies free.....

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 23, 2012]

Harold

Audio Enthusiast

I also purchased these speakers in 1995 from ckt city, I used these with dcm center and surround speakers with a sunfire sub for 15 yrs and they all sound good today. I had an onkoyo reciever with 80 watts discret output pushing these babies, they need some power behind them. I just up graded my system, I now have a integra 40.3 reciever, klipsch rs series 7.1 speakers and I'm waiting for my svs pb 13 sub and guess what I'm still using for my front l and r speakers. My same Ass kicking dcm kx212, speakers are bases on what you listen to. A great set of speakers for opera may not work for rap or rock music, these speakers are good for loud rap, rock music and movies. Would not know about opera because I don't listen to it. My kx 212 are 17 yrs old with no maintenance and they are now in my 3rd residence, 2 apartments and now a single home to set these babies free.....

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Sep 12, 2010]

matt

Audio Enthusiast

I love them always has.Only reason im posting cause i saw ppl needing info on them. I HAVE THE MANUALS AND FLYERS FROM WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Sep 12, 2010]

matt

Audio Enthusiast

I love them always has.Only reason im posting cause i saw ppl needing info on them. I HAVE THE MANUALS AND FLYERS FROM WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 22, 2010]

Kat

Audio Enthusiast

Does anyone out there have the specs on this box?

DCM KX212

I can not find it any place.

Need to know cont. and prgm rating, and ohms

Thank You!

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 22, 2010]

Kat

Audio Enthusiast

Does anyone out there have the specs on this box?

DCM KX212

I can not find it any place.

Need to know cont. and prgm rating, and ohms

Thank You!

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 31, 2009]

mark katz

AudioPhile

MY DCM KX212 ARE POWERED WITH A MCINTOSH 4100 RECIEVER

WOW EAR CANDY PLAYING BUCKETHEAD GIANT ROBOT NNT CD

BEST MONEY EVER SPENT ON SPEAKERS HAD TO GO OUT AND BUY SECOND PAIR

MY DCMS NEVER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR RECONED AND I DRIVE THEM HARD

I LIKE MY MUSIC LOUD

I HAVE REPAIRED AND TESTED MANY SPEAKERS THESE SPEAKER ARE AMAZING

SUPER LOUD SUPER CLEAR THESE WILL ROCK YOUR HOUSE

YOU CAN FIND THEM USED ON CRAIGLOOK OR CRAIGSLIST CHEAP THATS HOW I GOT SECOND PAIR

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none. Anyone interested in what these speakers are really capable of is very welcome at my home for a demonstration.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 31, 2009]

mark katz

AudioPhile

MY DCM KX212 ARE POWERED WITH A MCINTOSH 4100 RECIEVER

WOW EAR CANDY PLAYING BUCKETHEAD GIANT ROBOT NNT CD

BEST MONEY EVER SPENT ON SPEAKERS HAD TO GO OUT AND BUY SECOND PAIR

MY DCMS NEVER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR RECONED AND I DRIVE THEM HARD

I LIKE MY MUSIC LOUD

I HAVE REPAIRED AND TESTED MANY SPEAKERS THESE SPEAKER ARE AMAZING

SUPER LOUD SUPER CLEAR THESE WILL ROCK YOUR HOUSE

YOU CAN FIND THEM USED ON CRAIGLOOK OR CRAIGSLIST CHEAP THATS HOW I GOT SECOND PAIR

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none. Anyone interested in what these speakers are really capable of is very welcome at my home for a demonstration.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 19, 2009]

diamonddelts

Audio Enthusiast

I bought into the hype for these speakers when i purchased them a year ago on craiglist. When I first hooked them up they sounded like absolute crap. Weak bass and the highs sounded like they were coming through a tin can. That was with a 130 watt receiver.

But after reading more positive reviews for these speakers over the last year I thought maybe I was to quick to rush to judgement on my first pair of these speakers or maybe something was defective with them. So I went out and purchased a second pair of these speakers and this ime I paired them with a quality 300 watt a channel amp.

I will admit that if properly powered the mids on these speakers are beauiful and balanced. However the bullet tweeter is garbage. The highs on these speakers are thin and weak can could not even fill up a medium 10 by 20 room with sound at over half power. The bass for these speakers is frankly piss poor.

My MTX 2230's blow these speakers out of the water by a long shot in the bass and total output dept. The bass on these speakers is deep but very weak. You really have to crank them to at least half power or more for them to really be felt. I would guess that the real word efficiency on these is about 89db.

Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy these speaker no matter how low they are priced. They have weak bass coupled with even weaker highs. Don't be fooled b their massive, powerful look. I've heard speakers with single 10" woofers that hit much harder than these. Definite thumbs down.

OVERALLRATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Dec 19, 2009]

diamonddelts

Audio Enthusiast

I bought into the hype for these speakers when i purchased them a year ago on craiglist. When I first hooked them up they sounded like absolute crap. Weak bass and the highs sounded like they were coming through a tin can. That was with a 130 watt receiver.

But after reading more positive reviews for these speakers over the last year I thought maybe I was to quick to rush to judgement on my first pair of these speakers or maybe something was defective with them. So I went out and purchased a second pair of these speakers and this ime I paired them with a quality 300 watt a channel amp.

I will admit that if properly powered the mids on these speakers are beauiful and balanced. However the bullet tweeter is garbage. The highs on these speakers are thin and weak can could not even fill up a medium 10 by 20 room with sound at over half power. The bass for these speakers is frankly piss poor.

My MTX 2230's blow these speakers out of the water by a long shot in the bass and total output dept. The bass on these speakers is deep but very weak. You really have to crank them to at least half power or more for them to really be felt. I would guess that the real word efficiency on these is about 89db.

Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy these speaker no matter how low they are priced. They have weak bass coupled with even weaker highs. Don't be fooled b their massive, powerful look. I've heard speakers with single 10" woofers that hit much harder than these. Definite thumbs down.

OVERALLRATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

1

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jun 17, 2002]

ram50

AudioPhile

Strength:

LOUD, LOUD, LOUD. Made in the USA

Weakness:

nope

I have used these as my main speakers since the mid 1990s and they continue to amaze me. I have had them hooked up to an old Kenwood receiver with 100Wx2 in stereo and only 70W per channel in surround mode, but they still perform amazingly. I chose them over the KX12s because it seemed like the KX12s one woofer was working to hard to create the bass. Having the extra 12 seems to relax the speaker into smooth deep effortless bass, especially at high volumes. I had these speakers in an 11 x 14 dorm room and I never needed to turn the bass up more than half way. Now I have them in a huge room and they fill the room beautifully.
These may not be the most accurate speakers on the planet, but for the price per decibel ratio is second to none. If you are looking for loudspeakers that are truly loud, and you can find a pair, get them.
Size Matters.

Similar Products Used:

There are no similar products

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jun 17, 2002]

ram50

AudioPhile

Strength:

LOUD, LOUD, LOUD. Made in the USA

Weakness:

nope

I have used these as my main speakers since the mid 1990s and they continue to amaze me. I have had them hooked up to an old Kenwood receiver with 100Wx2 in stereo and only 70W per channel in surround mode, but they still perform amazingly. I chose them over the KX12s because it seemed like the KX12s one woofer was working to hard to create the bass. Having the extra 12 seems to relax the speaker into smooth deep effortless bass, especially at high volumes. I had these speakers in an 11 x 14 dorm room and I never needed to turn the bass up more than half way. Now I have them in a huge room and they fill the room beautifully.
These may not be the most accurate speakers on the planet, but for the price per decibel ratio is second to none. If you are looking for loudspeakers that are truly loud, and you can find a pair, get them.
Size Matters.

Similar Products Used:

There are no similar products

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jun 14, 2002]

mjmcnevin

AudioPhile

Strength:

Very accurate and full response throughout the sound spectrum. Very well balanced. Very friendly as to what you are using to drive them, even my Sansui 9090db. At $340 each they are a bargain.

Weakness:

Absolutely none. Anyone interested in what these speakers are really capable of is very welcome at my home for a demonstration.

I purchased these KX 212's in March of 1996. At first I had an Onkyo TX-SV525 receiver driving them, then upgraded to an Onkyo TX-SV828THX receiver in 1998. I also added a DCM center channel module and two KX6 satellites and an Infinity BU-2 sub. That's the bread,now for the butter. There is no way I can say enough about these KX212's. They sound fantastic no matter what is driving them. The 2 12 inch bass drivers can and will shake the ground you stand on are are extremely clean. The 3/4 inch horn-loaded bullet tweeter can be harsh or soft depending on personal preference and settings on the receiver/amp. The 6 inch midrange driver is very supportive and full in sound reproduction. The main thing to remember about the KX212's is that they are 4 ohm impedance speakers and this has to be taken into consideration when setting the bass and treble controls on your receiver/amp. There is no need to twist these controls to max output to drive these speakers. One must also take into consideration that these are transmission line speakers making them much more efficient than the ported box enclosures everyone is use to using. Also, as with most transmission line speakers, they perform much better off the floor. I have mine on 12 inch high stands. As for performance, I have listened to high action movies,hard and classic rock and roll,R&B,blues,classical and the list goes on. My point here is that properly adjusted you can not find a cleaner, better sounding speaker for the money. These are definitely keepers.

Similar Products Used:

IMF/TLS 50's, IMF/TLS 80's

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jun 14, 2002]

mjmcnevin

AudioPhile

Strength:

Very accurate and full response throughout the sound spectrum. Very well balanced. Very friendly as to what you are using to drive them, even my Sansui 9090db. At $340 each they are a bargain.

Weakness:

Absolutely none. Anyone interested in what these speakers are really capable of is very welcome at my home for a demonstration.

I purchased these KX 212's in March of 1996. At first I had an Onkyo TX-SV525 receiver driving them, then upgraded to an Onkyo TX-SV828THX receiver in 1998. I also added a DCM center channel module and two KX6 satellites and an Infinity BU-2 sub. That's the bread,now for the butter. There is no way I can say enough about these KX212's. They sound fantastic no matter what is driving them. The 2 12 inch bass drivers can and will shake the ground you stand on are are extremely clean. The 3/4 inch horn-loaded bullet tweeter can be harsh or soft depending on personal preference and settings on the receiver/amp. The 6 inch midrange driver is very supportive and full in sound reproduction. The main thing to remember about the KX212's is that they are 4 ohm impedance speakers and this has to be taken into consideration when setting the bass and treble controls on your receiver/amp. There is no need to twist these controls to max output to drive these speakers. One must also take into consideration that these are transmission line speakers making them much more efficient than the ported box enclosures everyone is use to using. Also, as with most transmission line speakers, they perform much better off the floor. I have mine on 12 inch high stands. As for performance, I have listened to high action movies,hard and classic rock and roll,R&B,blues,classical and the list goes on. My point here is that properly adjusted you can not find a cleaner, better sounding speaker for the money. These are definitely keepers.